Leaf entering and centering mechanism for tobacco strippers



Nov. 7, 1944. R, E. RUNDELL LEAF ENTERING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO STRIPPERS Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l RUPERT E. RUN I ELL ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. R. E. RUNDELL 2,362,098

LEAF ENTERING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO STRIPPERS Filed Jan. 18, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 oopooqo ooooopo INVENTOR RUPERT E.RUN

' TTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. E.- RUNDELL LEAF ENTERING AND CENTERING M ECHANISM F OR TOBACCO STRIPPERS Filed Jan. 18, 1 940 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR RUPERT E.RUNDELL TTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1944 LEAF ENTERING AND CENTERING MECHA- NISM FOR ToBAcco STRIPPERS Rupert E. Rundell, Ro ckville centre, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,474

16 Claims. c1.131 147) This invention-refers to machines for stemming tobacco leaves and more particularly to improvements in the mechanisms employed for picking up the leaves from a conveyor on the feeding table and transferring them to the leaf spreading and stemming mechanisms. The type of machine shown in my prior Patent 1,981,470, dated November 20, 1934, forTobacco leaf stemming and handling mechanism, was found to be capable of improvement, particularly in the leaf feeding mechanism The leaf entering feature of this invention is chiefly concerned with improvements in the leaf feeding mechanism disclosed in the above mentioned patent, by providing more effective means "for ejection of the stem of the leaf from the conveyor chain.

A further object is to support the ejected stem butts in a positionwhich is perpendicular to the grippers at the point at which they seize a stem butt. Thus the seized leaf may be guided in a f predetermined upwardly inclined path as it ap- L proaches the suction compartments wherein it is spread, whereas if the stem butt is seized while extending obliquely of the grippers the leaf will extend more or less obliquely behind the grippers and it may be guided less easily in the desired path.

sun another object of the invention is to guide the leaves as they are advanced toward the suction compartments, and to this end there are provided upright members between which the leaves are advanced to prevent skewing of the leaf laterally relative to the grippers and upper and lower rollers arranged to guide the leaves in the desired upwardly inclined path. The upper rollers may be yieldingly mounted on pivots to permit passage ming the leaf, a further object of the present .invention is to center the leaf.

The parts which are employed in these devices and their functioning will be hereinafter fully described and illustrated by drawings. In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in whichlike characters of reference indicate the same or. like parts:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the device for entering the leaves to be transferred to the suction compartments wherein they are spread out; a

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same taken on the line 2'2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial end view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the device for centering the leaves as they emerge from the final suction compartment;

Fig. 5 is a central sectional elevation of the same;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a suitable form of gripper construction.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig.1; and Fig. 9 is a detail view of the mounting of the member for supporting the extreme tips of the stem butts. I

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which illustrate the device for feeding the tobacco leaves into the suction compartments S, tobacco leaves L are shown as placed, by the operator, on the loading table 5|, with the butt-ends of the leaves in slots 52 of conveyor chains 53 by which, in conjunction with belts 54, the leaves are advanced to a point where gripper fingers l3 on conveyor chains l4 (Figs. 5 and '6) pick them up and carry them along to the suction compartments S of the spreader box. Conveyor chains I4 are driven by sprockets 20I on a drive shaft 20m (Fig. 8)v at the upper end of the machine and in turn drive sprockets 55 on shaft 55a, atthe lower end of the machine (Fig. 1).

Pairs of oppositely disposed gripper fingers 13 are supported on the chains l4 and spaced along the same slightly more than the maximum length of tobacco leaf. The speed of the conveyor chains 14 and 53 is so timed that a pair of gripper fingers l3 will be in a position to pick up a tobacco leaf from the loading table 5| when the conveyor 53 has-brought it up in line with an oncoming pair of gripper fingers l3on conveyor chains l4.

At this point a roller 51 on lever 56 is swung upwardly as the cam roller 59 on bell-crank BI] is displaced outwardly by cam groove 6] in one face of cam disk 62, the bell-crank 60 being connected by rod 63 to a lever 64 on shaft 65 whereon lever 56 is fulcrumed. Roller 51 as it swings upwardly:

of shafts IOI pivotally mounted in the chains I4 and provided on their other ends with arms I62 carrying cam rollers I63 which engage a stationary cam track I06 to turn the grippers into the vertical position shown in Fig. 2. The grippers are pivotally mounted in yokes I64 loosely mounted on shafts I6I and adjacent blocks I65 fastened to inner ends of shafts Illl. The grippers are provided with intermeshing gear segments I66 adjacent their pivots and their jaws are pressed together by tension springs I61 connecting eachpair of grippers. The grippers are equipped with cam rollers I66 (Fig. 7) one of which engages the inner side face of a stationary cam piece I69 whereby the grippers are spread apart to admit the stem butt and then released to grip the stem butt therebetween. A cam (not shown) is provided to engage both cam rollers I68 and open the grippers to release the stem butt at the proper point. The shafts Illl are each provided with a torsion spring I I6 connected at either end to the yoke and the block and urging the former forwardly against the block (Fig. 7) to yieldingly maintain the grippers in a position perpendicular to the chains I l except when the cam rollers I63 of arms I62 on shafts I6I enter the cam I66 (Fig. 2) and the yokes I64 are thereby turned with the shafts IGI to present the grippers I3 to the stern butt in the vertical position shown in Fig. 2.

In order to guard against the possibility of a break in the stem butt or other condition causing the butt-end to droop as roller 51 starts to lift it out of the slot 52, a rod 66 mounted in a springtensioned bracket 61a hinged on lever 56 and urged upwardly by a torsion spring 58 assists in lifting the stem and holds it from drooping until the gripper fingers I3 close in on it and carry the leaf away. As roller 57 rises to push the stem out of slot 52 a roller 68 on lever 69 bears down gently on top of the leaf. Therefore as the leaf starts moving away with the grippers which have seized it, the roller 51 will be stopped in a position wherein it supports the stem butt in a more or less horizontal position in conjunction with the rod 66 of bracket 6! which is then in .the position shown in Fig. 2, so that the stem butt will extend more or less perpendicularly of the grippers which have a vertical position when they seizethe stem butt. The grippers are provided with fingers II3 which engage the top of the stem butt to assure the desired horizontal position thereof. Thus the leaf will be advanced, when seized, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the grippers, and the roller 68 continues to rest gently on the leaf and thereby tensions the stem butt thereof as it is forwarded by the grippers. Lever 69 with its roller 68 receives its motion from a cam ID on shaft II, a roller I2 on lever arm I3 bearing against the face of the cam.

As the leaf proceeds towards the suction compartm'ents S gripper fingers I3 encounter a pair of horizontal rollers I4 journaled in upright projections on the hubs of arms I I 4 pivotally mounted on the free end of a lever I5 which is attached to shaft I6. A lever I! also attached to shaft I6, is connected by rod'18, to a bell-crank I9 provided with a roller 86 in cam groove 8| in the other face of cam disk 62 and is thus actuated to impart motion to lever in a downward direction during the passage of a leaf under the rollers I4.

Rollers I4 will swing apart sufficiently to permit gripper fingers l3 to pass through and then swing back through the action of tension spring 82 as soon as gripper fingers have passed, and the leaf L will thus be drawn under the rollers I4. While passing under roller I4, the skewing of the leaf will be prevented by upright rollers 83 which confine the movement of the leaf to a predetermined zone and are mounted on a stationary bracket 84 and rollers I4 will guide the leaf in conjunction with the roller 85 on bracket 84 to cause the leaf to proceed in the desired upwardly inclined path. As the leaf continues on its way it encounters a pair of upright rollers 86 supported W by arms pivotally mounted on bracket 84 and connected by a tension spring 81. The leaf is thus, while being centered and guided into the suction unit by the upright and horizontal rollers, also folded up upon itself by rollers 86 so as to better respond to treatment in the suction compartments.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 which illustrate the device for maintaining the leaf in a central position as it emerges from the last suction compartment. A tobacco leaf Lb is shown having passed almost completely through the first suctioncompartment except for its tip-end which is shown pulled over to one side by the action of the suction. Likewise in passing through the intermediate compartment the tip-end may come through straight or it may be pulled over to one side. Either way is satisfactory at these stages, but when emerging from the last compartment, as shown at La, the gates fI close in on the leaf, reducing the area of the air inlet I to a minimum and thus compelling the tip-end to pass out in a straight line. The inner ends of the gates may be provided with rollers if desired. V

In addition to the reduction of space for the leaf to pass' through, the opening for the intake of air for the suction has also been reduced by the gates II, thereby lessening th chances of suction affecting the leaf as it passes beyond the gates and is picked up by the transfer belts 2I and 22. By means of two sliding covers I2 further reduction of air intake area is accomplished. The sliding covers I2 remain closed except while the gripper fingers I3 on conveyor chain I4 pass between them. The covers I 2 are attached to the top of the last suction compartment by studs I5 passing through elongated holes I6 and permitting the covers to slide apart as the gripper fingers I3 wedge them open in passing through. Then the covers are returned to closed position by compression springs IT.

The gates I I are operated by a lever system controlled by a cam so as to begin closing as the greatest width of the tobacco leaf has emerged and gradually close, approximately the reduction in width of the leaf. Gates II are attached to levers I8 which are pivoted on the underside of the suction box and linked together attheir free ends so as to swing in opposite directions. A rod I 9 connects one of the levers I8 with a cam lever 20 which is fulcrumed on the frame of the machine and operated by a cam (not shown in the drawings), to close the gates in properly timed relation to the passage of the leaf. i

This application constitutes a continuation in part of my prior application, Serial Number 224,- 050, filed August 10, 1938.

vIn the operation of the machine the cam rollers I03 of the arms I62 of successive shafts I6I enter the cam I66, whereby the shafts I6I and the yokes I04, thereon carrying the grippers I3 are turned backwardly to move the grippers into a non-radial position relative to the sprockets 5 5 but substantially perpendicular to the horizo tally disposed stembutts presented in position to be seized. As the rollers I03 leave the cam I00, they-enter a stationary cam track 200 (Fig. 8)

provided with straight portions which maintain it'hegrippers in a predetermined position perpendicular to the chain links wherein their shafts are supported. These straight cam track portions are connected by an arcuate portion through which .the rollers I03 pass as the chain links supporting their arms I02 travel around the idler sprocket 20! mounted on shaft 20la, the latter shaft being driven by any suitable means (not shown) i I ;,What is claimedis:

l. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with a suctionspreader box having an air inlet through which the tobacco leaves emerge from the box, of 'members for gripping the stem :butts of tobacco leaves and advancing them butt first through saidbox and out said air inlet, gates I adjacent said air inlet, and mechanism for partially closing said gates while the tip end of the leaf is emerging through the air inlet, whereby theextent' of th air inlet is reduced sufficiently to prevent deflection of the tip end of the leaf by the current of air entering said inlet.

adjacent said air inlet, and mechanism for parv tiallyclosing said gates while the'tip end of the leaf is emerging through the air inlet, whereby the extent of the air inlet is reduced sufiiciently to Prevent deflection of the tip end of the leaf by the current of air entering said inlet, said gates acting to engage and center the tip-end of the leaf with respect to the remainder of the leaf.

3. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with a suction spreader box having an air inlet through which the tobacco leaves emerge from .the box, of members for gripping the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing them butt first through said box and out said air inlet, gates adjacent said air inlet, and mechanism for partially closing, said gates while the tip end of the leaf is emerging through the air inlet, whereby the xtent of the air inlet is reduced sufficiently to prevent deflection of the tip end of the leaf by the current of air entering said inlet, said suction box being provided with yieldingly mounted covers on itstop arranged to be spread apart by passage of the grippers therebetween and nor-" mally closed to effect a further reduction in the air intake and adjacent the point at which the leaves emerge from the suction box.

4.'In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with a suction spreader box having an air inlet through which tobacco leaves emerge from the box, of members for gripping the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing them butt first through said box and out said air inlet, and members moving periodically into engagement with the tip end only of successive tobacco leaves as they emerge from said inlet and thereby coacting to prevent deflection of the tip end by the current of air entering said inlet.

5. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with a suction spreader box having an air inlet through which tobacco leaves emerge from the box, of .members for gripping the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing them butt first through said How: and out said air inlet, and members coacting to engage the tip end of successive tobacco leaves as they emerge from said inlet and prevent deflection of the tip end by the current of air entering said inlet, said members being bodily movable transversely of and oppositely movable bodily to engage the sides of. the tip end of the leaf and thereby mechanically center the same.

6. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with an endless series of grippers, of mechanism for moving said grippers in an endless path, a conveyor for advancing togacco leaves transversely of the path of said grippers, means for raising the stem butts of leaves advanced by said conveyor into a position extending length- Wise of the path of the grippers to be seized by said grippers, and a device for supporting the extreme tip of the stem butts to prevent drooping thereof below the range of action of the grippers and maintain the stem butts in a position parallel to the path of said grippers, said grippers be: ing provided with members arranged to engage the top of the stem about to be gripped, to assure thegdesired position thereof parallel to the path of the grippers. i

7. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with an endless series of grippers, of mechanism for moving said grippers in an endless path, means for moving tobacco leaves into position adjacent the path of said grippers, wherein their stern butts may be seized by said grippers, and a device for supporting the extreme tip of the stem butts, said device extending sufficiently upward into the path of said grippers to prevent drooping thereof below the rangeof action of the grippers, said device being yieldable to be displaced downwardly by said grippers out of their path and thereby permit the passage of the grippers without interference.

- bodily from opposite sides against said leaves near the tip end thereof to center the same as said tip leaves said spreading means.

9. In a tobacco leaf spreader, the combination with a pneumatic spreader through which air flows to spread the leaves, said spreader having an outlet through which the tobacco leaves emerge, mechanism for advancing the leaves butt first through said spreader and out said outlet, and means for decreasing the flow of air through said spreader as the tips of the leaves emerge from said outlet to prevent deflection thereof.

10. In a tobacco leaf stripper having sets of grippers, mechanism for moving said grippers in an endless path and opening each set of grippers successively to admit the stem butt of a tobacco leaf. for seizure therein, and means for advancing tobacco leaves and. raising their stem butts into position to be seized by said grippers; the combination with a yielding member for supporting the extreme tips of the stem butts of the tobacco leaves advanced into position to ,be seized by the grippers to prevent drooping of the stem butts and thereby maintain the stem butts in predetermined perpendicular relationship to the grippers, mechanism for moving said grippers in an endless path and opening each set of a rlppers successively toadmit the stem butt of ;,a;tobac,co leaf for seizuretherein, and means for advancing, tobacco leavesand raising their stem butts into position to be seized byv said grippers; the combination with a yielding mem- '5,

her for supporting the extreme tips of the stem butts of the tobacco leaves advanced into posi- ,:tion tobe seized by the grippers to prevent droop- -;ing; of the stem butts and thereby maintain the ,stem butts in predetermined perpendicular relationship to thegrippers bytwhich they are seized, .-,.and. a suction box disposed in longitudinally parallel relationship to the path of said grippers and "arrangedto admit the seized leaves advanced by ,said grippers, and means forguiding the leaves:

seized by said grippers in a path parallel to and aligned with said suction .box.

'12. The. combination with a suction device for spreading tobacco leaves, ofmembers for advancing tobacco leaves butt first into and past the range of action of said device, and means for wmain taining the leaves in centered relationship -tosaid members as they emerge from said device, said means including members movable into position to engage the side edges of the leaves along the tip portions thereof as the same emerge from said device, to prevent deflection thereof;

13. In a tobacco leaf stripper provided. with a suction spreader box, the combination with a conveyor provided with an endless series of grippers adapted to seize the stem butt of a tobacco leaf and advance the same butt first through said box, of upright members rotatable on immovable axes which are spaced apart sufliciently to permit the leaves to be advanced therebetween by said grippers, and being close enough to each other to engage the sides of the advancing leaves adjacent the tip portions thereof, as they enter said suction box and thereby prevent skewing of the leaves entering the suction box.

14. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination -with an endless series of grippers, of mechanism for closing said grippers to grip the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing the gripped tobacco leaves butt foremost by said grippers, means for feeding tobacco leaves into a position wherein their butts will be gripped by saidgrippers, a support along which the leaves are fed by said means, and 'a device operating to engage and press successive leaves advanced by saidzmeans before, they are gripped 'by said. grippersandconltinue pressing the same while theytare advanced by saidzgrippers away from saidnconveyor, said device-including .a member .movable into :.the proximity of said table .and-a roller revolubly mounted on saidrnember and adapted to engage and presslthe leaves against said table before and while they .are gripped andadvanced by saidtgrippers.

15. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with an endless series of grippers, of mechanism for closing said grippers to grip the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing the gripped tobacco leaves butt foremost by said grippers in an upwardly inclined path, means for-feeding tobacco leaves into a horizontal position wherein their butts will be gripped by said grippers a horizontal lower leaf guide underlying the upwardly inclihed path in which the gripped leaves l are advanced by said grippers, upper leaf guides overlying said lower guide and disposed in the path of the grippers andextending horizontally above and across the upwardly inclined path in which the leaves are advanced by said grippers to confine said leaves to said upwardly inclined path, and members yieldingly supporting said upper guides to permit them to swing apart and permit passage of the grippers between the ends of said upper guides.

16. In a tobacco leaf stripper, the combination with-an endless series of grippers, of mechanism for closing said grippers to grip the stem butts of tobacco leaves and advancing the gripped tobacco leaves butt foremost by said grippers in a straight path, means for feeding tobacco leaves into a position wherein their butts will be gripped by said grippers, and a device operating to engage and press successive leaves advanced by said means before they are gripped by said grippers and continue pressing the same while they are advanced by said grippers away from said means,

devices for guiding the leaves horizontally and vertically while they are advanced along said straight path by said grippers, and yieldingly mounted upright rollers arranged beyond said devices to engage and fold the leaves upwardly as theyare advanced by said grippers.

RUPERT E. RUNDELL. 

